Protecting The Safety of Agri-Food Workers Through the Emergency Processing Fund

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, was at Exceldor Cooperative in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, today to announce a number of initial projects funded under the $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund

The Emergency Processing Fund is focused on projects to help companies respond to the urgent health and safety needs of workers in agri-food sectors impacted by COVID-19, with an emphasis on supporting meat processing facilities.

“Workers in the agri-food sector, in particular those working in meat processing, have faced many challenges throughout this pandemic and the Government has been there to support them,” stated Bibeau. “Ensuring the safety of these essential workers is key to continue providing safe, high quality food for all Canadians.”

“Despite the many challenges related to COVID-19 in recent months, we have been able to remain present in order to continue to feed Canadians”

 

Nationally, a total of 32 projects have been approved so far, for up to $10.54 million in funding. Funding has helped businesses purchase reusable PPE, sanitation stations and protective barriers, make adjustments to production lines to enable social distancing, develop additional training and adopt other measures that help safeguard employees from COVID-19. All remaining projects are currently being assessed and will be finalized in the coming weeks.

“The support announced by the federal government today was expected and is much appreciated,” added René Proulx, President and CEO, Exceldor Cooperative. “Despite the many challenges related to COVID-19 in recent months, we have been able to remain present in order to continue to feed Canadians.”

Minister Bibeau made the announcement while visiting the Exceldor Cooperative plant that will receive up to $262,500 to purchase reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), and install equipment to ensure social distancing of staff at the facility.

The Government of Canada will continue working with food processors to ensure the well-being of essential workers in food processing plants across Canada while strengthening the resilience of our food supply chain.

“I would like to thank all of our employees who take their work to heart and who are still at their jobs despite the circumstances,” Proulx said. “We continue to be committed to providing a work environment that is adapted to the current pandemic conditions, and thus protecting the health of all our employees.”

The Emergency Processing Fund will help food processors implement measures to protect the health and safety of workers and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also support facility upgrades and help strengthen Canada’s food supply.